After the training fiasco the jedi all head to a meditations room.
"Let me go!" Ariel gets free.
"Ariel he's not good for you." Kit lectures.
"You don't get to make that call." Ariel huffs a bit.
Nora ran crying into the room, Windu behind her.
"Nora? You okay?" Ariel looks worried.
"No, I, I broke it off." Nora cried.
"What?" Ariel's eyes widen.
"You should be taking your friend's lead." Kit huffs still angry himself.
"Are you okay?" Ariel, ignores him, and rubs her friend's back.
"He may have not meant what he did but… but what he said. He meant that. He thinks he's not worthy of me and thinks he has to do more just to out due the rest. I thought he understood I didn't care for all that stuff." Nora cries into her friend.
Windu comes up and sighs "He has a fear of losing you and that fear led to it coming true."
"Why not talk with him?" Ariel pats her back.
'And I need to with Fives.' Ariel sighs with a bit of longing in her eyes.
"I… I can't even look at him without thinking of what he said. Does he really think that ever mattered to me? After everything." Nora shakes.
At that Windu took her into his arms surprising them, but Nora soon snuggled in still shaking as he said "Sometimes our fears lead us to say and do stupid things. He feared he was not worthy of you. Why was that?"
"My powers I think." Nora sniffs.
"Hmm. I suppose that would make him think twice about being with you. You have a very unique ability. Many will come after you for it, including those who only wish to have a child with this power. But Echo knew you before then didn't he, and has tried to do the best he could to be there for you despite this?" Windu asks, even if he was still mad at Echo.
"He did, but hearing that he still thinks like that. After I said no to Roy, to Milo, and got him that bracelet to show him how I felt. Does he really think me so shallow? I can't face him." Nora swallows.
"Then don't. Give yourself time. Let your mind clear of all this and when you feel you can think straight once more make your choice. Though perhaps you do deserve someone better." Windu growls that last part.
"I'd have to agree." Kit huffs.
"Dad…" Ariel shakes her head a bit.
Windu then said "How about some music? You girls said you like that right?"
"It might be nice." Kit nods calming.
The girls nodded, deciding maybe they all just needed to calm down. At that they headed to the girls apartment.
With the guys…
Echo was curled up on the bed, as still as a log.
'Echo…' Fives looks at him from his bunk, sad.
"Still hasn't moved?" Rex comes over to them.
"No sir." Fives shakes his head slightly.
"So you two and the girls…" Rex rubs his head.
"W-we never meant to hurt anyone. We just… we wanted to be with one another." Fives looks at him sadly.
"It's understandable. We won't say anything. Only myself, Hardcase, Jessie, and Kix heard and noticed all that. I think you two will be okay. Especially since the general hasn't said anything." Rex smirks.
"Sir I… I'm really sorry." Fives looks at him sadly.
"Get them back vod and take good care of them." Rex pats his shoulder before walking off.
"Thanks." Fives nods with a heavy sigh.
"Nora…" Echo whines as he plays with his bracelet.
At the apartment…
As they walked in the pups soon attacked the girls with kisses, and then the jedi.
"These two are very playful." Kit chuckles petting Scamp's head.
Scamp licks his face. Then tugs on his tentacles a bit.
"No Scamp. Naughty." Ariel takes him flicking his nose a bit.
"Oh he didn't do any harm." Kit laughs a bit.
As Windu came in Angel sat in front of him and yipped.
Nora laughed and said "I think she wants a pat."
Windu smirked slightly and patted her as she wagged her tail like crazy. Nuzzling up to him.
Nora chuckles "Oh no now you'll never be able to leave."
'If only that was true.' Mace lets the pup curl up in his arms, the little thing still nuzzling up as her tail wagged.
"Why don't you two keep the pups busy? We'll make something to eat." Ariel ties her hair up.
"Sure." Kit nods as he plays with the troublemaker.
"That would be appreciated." Mace nods to them as he keeps petting Angel who loved the attention.
As the girls cook Ariel hums something. Kit stops playing listening to it.
Kit recalls Aqua by the pool humming the same song. His head resting on her tail as she pats his head.
"Are you well my friend?" Mace asks Kit.
"Sorry. Just… Just old memories." Kit gets rid of the few tears from his eyes.
"Dad? Are you okay?" Ariel looks at him worried, cleaning her hands from the flour.
"I'm fine it's just… your mother used to hum the same song. She sang it to you a lot." Kit explains a mix of happy and sad.
"She did? I… I always thought I made it up." Ariel sits with him playing with her hands a bit.
"It's called the song of the sea. Or your mom called it that. She made it up as a teen but could never come up with the words for it. After a while I told her it was never meant to so it can always be translated differently by whomever hears it." Kit places his hand on hers with a small smile.
"What do you hear when it's hummed?" Ariel looks at him softly.
"Rocked by the water. Warmed by the sun. Let us dive deep to explore where this could lead. Secrets will be our sea of love…" Kit sings a bit in a low tone.
Ariel leans against his shoulder listening to him. In a way she could picture her parents by the pool chatting about their days and sneaking moments with one another.
Nora came over at that "Song of the see. I like it, especially Kit's version with the lyrics. So romantic." Nora smiles.
"I prefer the none lyrical version, it is very unique how one can interpret a song on they're own." Mace smiles.
"That is true. It's like letting your imagination take flight. I believe you're quiet the artist Windu." Nora smiles.
Windu was surprised at this, never hearing that about himself.
The pups bark then, reminding them of the food cooking. The girls jump up at that turning off the stove and making sure the food didn't burn.
With the food finished they sat listening to music as they talked. Sometimes not even talking as they just listen to the music.
"Masters Windu and Fisto, you're needed at the temple. Master Yoda wishes to talk about a certain security tape involving a training program." Secura relays over comes.
"Should have known we'd hear something about that." Kit sighs heavily at that.
"But you're not a part of the council anymore." Ariel pouts a bit.
"But I am a master and have to answer for my actions." Kit places his stuff in the sink.
"Will you two be okay? We should come, you guys only did that for us." Nora looks down sadly.
"We'll be fine." Windu assures them.
With that they head off.
With the guys…
Fives looks at the pink shell box. He sighs poking at it as he sits on his bunk.
'Guess I really won't get to give this to her now.' Fives sighs again.
"What's that." Echo looks over at Fives as he still laid in bed, he had been looking at his bracelet when he noticed the box.
"It's nothing it's just…" Fives places it under his pillow again staring at it a bit sad.
"Fives, please talk. I…I know I haven't said much but I want to be here for you too." Echo looks on sadly.
"I got her a present back on Atlantia." Fives takes it out again, rubbing the shell with his fingers lightly.
"What kind of present? The box looks really nice." Echo looks over curiously.
"It's a pair of couple rings. I saw them and I… I had to get them." Fives looks at the box, not looking inside since he got it.
"Those sound nice Fives. Do you think you'll be able to give them to her?" Echo looks on sadly.
"I'm not giving up the fight. Not yet. You?" Fives takes a breath then looks at his brother with a new resolve for himself.
"I….I want to be with her Fives…But I think she needs some space." Echo turns away not sure what to do.
The next few days Kit keeps Ariel from interacting with Fives. Fives feeling a bit defeated in this. But not giving up on Ariel.
Echo decided on his plan to give her space. But he did give her a note of apology.
Nora looked at it and smiled but still wasn't sure what she wanted to do.
Windu looked at this curiously. 'At least he's giving space. And is apologizing how he can. Perhaps he's not so bad.' Windu thinks. But decided to leave matters up to them for now.
One day the girls where in the library, Kit and Mace suggesting they study up a bit on jedi and gray history and culture.
"This is pretty interesting. Thought I can't believe there was once a war between jedi and gray's." Nora looks on shocked.
"It's interesting alright." Ariel sighs a bit.
"Kit still not letting you near Fives I guess." Nora looks at her sadly.
"Yeah." Ariel sighs heavily. "What about you? Going to talk to Echo?" she looks over at her friend.
"I still don't know what to do. The note was nice, but I feel I need something more to help me be sure of what I know. I just…" Nora sighs not sure how to explain it.
"Just what?" Ariel looks confused.
"I guess I wish he was more confident in himself, not puffed up ego wised, just… Just that he take a bit of a chance you know? I know it was hard enough for him just to break that rule to be with me but still." Nora looks down sadly.
"Maybe just talk to him. And see where it goes." Ariel looks at her sadly.
"Maybe thanks." Nora smiles.
Suddenly "Hello Ariel, Nora. It's good to see you two."
"Ahsoka." The girls' smiles.
They had met the girl a few times but never truly got to get to know her much.
"What are you doing here? Usually you try to avoid this place." Nora chuckles.
"Yeah. What's up?" Ariel giggles.
Ahsoka looks down and says "I defied some orders in our last mission and almost got my squad killed. This is punishment, guard duty."
"Oh Ahsoka, we're sorry to hear that." Nora sighs.
"That's too bad." Ariel looks sad for her.
"To tell the truth we don't think someone as young as you should be in battle, you have great talent. But children are not soldiers. In a way that's one of the reasons we don't like the troopers in battles. They may be adults, but they have barely lived as long as you have. Maybe less." Nora shakes her head.
"It's not right for you to fight." Ariel nods.
"Still I wish I wasn't here. I don't think it's very important." Ahsoka sighs.
"Ahsoka, these books are a treasure trove of knowledge. Knowledge is power. Can you imagine if an enemy of the jedi was to get such knowledge? It would be dangerous for all of us. So, look at this mission for what it is. To guard one of the greatest treasures and to ensure the safety of your people." Nora nods.
"Yeah it's amazing. You're keeping all this knowledge from danger. It's an important task." Ariel nods with a small smile.
"I guess I never saw it that way. Master Fisto went into the secret archives. Only jedi masters are allowed in there." Ahsoka says excitedly.
"Really? I'm surprised they let him go in." Ariel looks surprised.
"He may not be on the council anymore, but he is a still a powerful master indeed and still respected by everyone so he's well trusted. Pluss since he's still a general in the army he needs whatever advantage he can get." Ahsoka smiles.
"That would make sense. I think we kept you long enough Ahsoka, the head librarian seems testy." Nora points out.
"Oh right back to work." Ahsoka nods and heads off.
The girls chuckling slightly.
The said head librarian came up and said "I heard what you told her. Thank you for helping her understand how important her work is." She smiles.
"It's no problem." Ariel shakes her head a bit.
"It was our pleaser." Nora nods.
Meanwhile…
Mace was walking down the corridors towards the library, there would be a meeting soon but he wanted to check on the girls and also make sure Ahsoka was doing her job.
'I wonder how Nora will do once she's in battle? I hope she won't be like Skywalker or…' The memory of a younger Venters comes to mind, and he shakes it off 'That will never happen. Not if I can help it.'
"Excuse me sir." At that Mace stops and looks behind him. Echo was standing at attention with a small holo video in his hand.
"Can I help you trooper?" Mace glared still mad, but willing to give him a chance.
"I was wondering sir, if you wouldn't mind. Giving this to Nora for me. I don't think she wishes to see me still." Echo looks down sadly.
"I appreciate that you are trying and giving her space. But from here on out you need to face her. Apologize face to face." Mace glares.
"I understand sir. I'll do it tonight." Echo nods.
"Good and if you make her cry again trooper. You will not escape." Mace glares.
At that Echo looks directly in his eyes and says "I will not run sir and will humbly take whatever punishment you deem fit."
At that Mace almost smirked "Keep that attitude trooper. And you might just survive." Mace walks off then.
Echo sighing with relief.
Out in the garden…
Fives ponders what to do. Kit keeps him away and keeps Ariel close.
'What do I do?' Fives sighs looking at the shell box.
"You okay?" Rex comes over to his brother.
"It's nothing sir." Fives looks away over to the side.
"Fives, I'm here as a brother not a captain." Rex sits next to him.
"Rex I…" Fives looks at the box.
'I don't want to hurt you.' Fives thinks to himself with shaking eyes.
"It's about Ariel isn't it?" Rex looks at him softly.
Fives nods sadly and explains. How he had been trying to say sorry and give the presents to her, but Kit has been keeping him away. How he understood he was being protective but is frustrated with him and this situation.
"It's wrong to feel this way about a general. But I can't help it." Fives sighs heavily.
'Fives…' Rex places a hand on his shoulder.
"It's not wrong to get frustrated or feel overwhelmed." Rex pats his shoulder. "Just don't give up too." He tries to assure him.
"Thanks vod." Fives sighs getting up.
'Not giving up. Not yet.' Fives holds it close.
Then Fives saw Echo taking a break. Echo looked like he was contemplating something.
"Hey." Fives comes over.
"Hey Fives, how are you?" Echo looks worriedly at his down brother.
"Not so well." Fives sighs. "Since you can get close… would you mind?" he looks a bit pleadingly showing him the shell box and note in hand.
"Sure I'll be happy too." Echo smiles.
"Thanks." Fives looks happy and sad.
Echo nods and pats his brother's shoulder before leaving.
With the girls…
"I give up." Ariel sighs turning off a tablet.
"What's wrong?" Nora looks over.
"I need an eye break." Ariel rubs between her eyes.
"Is that it?" Nora raises a brow.
"I want Fives to be here. He'd make studying fun. He'd come over and tease me a bit and then say something like…" Ariel sighs starting.
"Say something like him not knowing what you two are talking about?" They both turn to see Echo coming over.
'Like that.' Ariel sighs laying her head on the cool table.
"Um hi I…How are you two." Echo looks down fidgety.
Nora didn't look at him but said "Ariel's just going through Fives withdrawal."
"Why hasn't he tried to apologize?" Ariel mumbles to herself, her head still down.
"Well if it makes you feel better. He sent me with these." Echo places the box down.
Ariel perks up looking at the paper note next to the pink shell. Flushing, she opens the note first. Smiling softly at it.
'Note: I love you Ariel. Please wear it if you do too.
-Fives'
'Wear?' Ariel is curious as she looks at the box then gasps as she sees inside.
Sitting inside is a silver band with a pink clear sea glass stone sitting in the middle. It was in the shape of a shell. Sitting next to it is a wave like silver band with a blue sea glass shell in the middle.
'Oh Fives.' Ariel smiles at this.
'Wow.' Nora and Echo thought thinking it looked stunning.
'So why haven't you tried something?' Nora looks away sadly now.
'Oh Nora, don't worry. I'll make it up to you I promise.' Echo looks over sadly.
Closing the box, without taking the ring, Ariel writes a note.
"Give this to him for me?" Ariel hands it to Echo.
"Are you still mad?" Echo looks on sad for his brother.
"No." Ariel shakes her head. "You'll understand when Fives reads it." She's a bit red but smiling.
"Okay, I'll see you both later." Echo takes the package and note, worried for his brother.
Fives sits in the garden tapping his foot. He was nervous. What if Kit stopped Echo? What if Nora thought it was for her? What if… what if Ariel didn't like it?
"Fives. I have something for you." Echo comes over.
"S-she didn't want it?" Fives looks sad seeing the box in his hand.
"She said to read the note." Echo hands it over to him.
A bit broken hearted Fives opens the note.
'Note: I want you to place it on my hand yourself.
-Ariel'
"Ariel…" Fives smiles a bit red at this.
Back with the girls…
"You okay?" Ariel looks at her friend worried.
"It's just that… He came here to deliver something for Fives but doesn't even try with me. Is he just giving up?" Nora sighs.
"Oh Nora… I'm sure he'll try something." Ariel pats her back.
Suddenly Windu came up "Is something the matter ladies?"
"Nora's still mad at Echo." Ariel sighs.
"I'm just upset he hasn't tried, it seems like he's afraid to even truly give this a chance." Nora sighs.
"He's trying to give you space. And he did ask me to give you something." Windu smiles as he puts the little holonote down.
"What?" Nora looks shocked.
"Why not see what's on it? Maybe he'll say sorry." Ariel smiles softly.
"Okay." Nora nods, slightly smiling.
As she opened it this is what the holo message said.
'Hi Nora I know you might still be mad at me and you have a right. I should have never doubted our relationship. I guess sometimes it's hard to believe that a girl like you would ever feel for a guy like me. And I just wanted to at least tell you how special you are to me by.'
Echo seemed to be trying to fix something up and then he cleared his throat as some music started.
'You don't run with the crowd. You go your own way. You don't play after dark. You light up my day. Got your own kind of style. That sets you apart. Baby, that's why you captured my heart…'
Nora gasped at this as Echo nervously sang.
"Oh that's so sweet." Ariel swoons a bit.
"Is there something significant about this?" Windu raised a brow.
"That's the song that played when we admitted our feelings to each other." Nora says misty eyed.
Echo finishes up the song nervously in the video and then says 'I know this isn't enough to fix things, but I hope I can find a way to do so. I'm sorry I ever doubted what we had. Te amo Nora.' And then it shuts off.
'So romantic.' Ariel smiles softly at them.
"I have to admit the boy has style." Windu smirks.
At that Nora stood from the table.
"Where are you going?" Ariel looks a bit worried.
"I got to go talk to him." Nora smiles as she rushes off.
"Go on." Ariel smiles at that.
Windu shakes his head as he goes back to check on Ahsoka.
As Nora was rushing to get to the garden, she suddenly felt something sting her neck "Ow." She hit the stinging feeling, thinking it was a bug. Then as she looked at the metal needle "What…" Nora looked on shocked, but suddenly the world began to spin and she fell.
Suddenly a green looking jedi with several nostrils came up and checked to make sure she was out cold.
"Bane I've got the girl." The fake calls in his earpiece.
'Good job, get her onto the ship and then get to your post. We still need the holocron.' Bane called back.
The fake smirked and put Nora over his shoulder as he began to sneak off. No one knowing it was actually a female changeling.
Back with the guys…
Echo was pacing a bit in the garden as he tried to figure out what to say to Nora later that day.
"You alright?" Fives looks confused.
"Sorry I just. I'm going to talk to Nora later. I sent her a holo message with general Windu but I still need to apologize face to face. I'm just… still trying to get the words together in my head. I already put some of my apology in the holopad but I still need to face her." Echo keeps pacing.
"Like what?" Fives looks curious, hoping to calm him down as he talks.
"Like how I should have never doubted our relationship in the first place, that I was just in shock that a girl like her would ever be with a guy like me, and… I just, basically apologizing for what I said when I wasn't in my right mind. I let out a lot of my biggest fears at that moment. And Nora well, I guess she was offended that I would even think that and she's right. I mean she chose me over a prince captain, and higher ranking brothers. How could I ever doubt her?" Echo sighs.
"So if you're so worried why not try getting her something to show how sorry you are?" Fives suggests.
Echo nods at that "I guess I could get her favorite flowers and we could just talk about how to better work this out so we both don't feel…" Suddenly an alarm went off.
"Alert the temple is on high alert. Please everyone report to your stations, all younglings head to the safety rooms. Troopers guard the exits." A voice calls out to everyone from the monitors.
They guys looked worried at each other 'The girls!'
They should have headed to they're stations but something in them told them that something was off. And they rushed off. As they headed to the library they saw Ariel and Kit walking down the hall, but no Nora.
"What are you doing here?" Kit stares a bit sharply at Fives.
"We came to check on the girls." Fives stares a bit sharply.
"Ariel where's Nora?" Echo looks worriedly around.
"She's not with you? She ran off to talk with you an hour ago." Ariel looks confused and worried at that.
"We never saw her." Echo pales.
They all looked worried at that.
"Ariel you head to the safety room and…" Kit tries.
"No." Ariel cuts him off. "I'm not leaving Nora on her own. I'm coming too." She stares sharply.
"Sigh fine, you two come but only as troopers." Kit glares.
The two just nod as they head off.
'Please be okay.' Ariel looks worried for her friend.
'Ariel… I wish I could take her hand.' Fives looks worried at her.
Echo was panicked, he could feel something was wrong, but he wasn't sure what. 'Please be okay Nora, please.' Echo held on to his necklace as he rushed down the halls.
At the council room…
"What's going on?" Kit comes in to find all of them talking a mile a minute.
"Aunties. Uncles. What's going on?" Ariel looks worried.
"A holocron was stolen and… Nora." Mace looks worried about that.
"What?!" They all look worried at that.
Ariel felt panic at that. She had to find her friend. She had to.
Ariel felt everything go blank and rushes out. Her feet moving faster than they ever had.
"Ariel!" Fives calls after her, but she was gone.
'What just…' Fives looks worried and shocked at this.
"Seems those instincts have kicked in." Kit sighs at that.
"The girls' connection is strong." Windu does the same.
'Please be safe Nora.' Windu looks up at the sky worried.
With Ariel…
Ariel had fought the shape shifter. She won over the woman but as she moved to cuff her she feels a stun blast hit her.
'Looks like I have three prizes for the price of none.' Bane smirks taking Ariel as he leaves the shifter to be caught.
When the shifter was found she was dragged to a questioning room and Windu looked on angry.
"Where is Bane?" Windu glared.
"Calm yourself jedi. I owe the bounty hunter nothing. I'll talk." The changeling smirks.
Windu still glares at her.
"Calm Mace. Calm." Kit calms him down with a hand on his shoulder.
"Where is he taking them and the holocron?" Kenobi asks this time.
"The holocron, he's going to find some jedi called Bolla Ropal for some crystal and to get him to open it for him." The changeling replies.
"That holocron has every force sensitive child in the universe it cannot get into anyone's hands." Windu looks on shocked.
"It won't. We'll stop it." Kit shakes his head.
"I'll have Anakin and Ahsoka go after Bane. You two get the girls." Obi-Wan nods and rushes off to tell Anakin.
"Tell us where they are, now!" Windu hits the table.
"And soon." Kit stares with anger.
"Haha, protective aren't we jedi? Bane was right about padawan and master bonds. He'll have to be careful not to hurt those girls if he doesn't want to get caught. Though he was already warned if he hurt that brown haired girl he was supposed to face a world of hurt." The changeling smirked.
Windu's eyes widened at that "Dooku."
"He's taken them?" Kit feels his anger boil.
"That's right. I imagined he took the other girl for a bounty or to maybe help keep the other one from trying anything. He'll be dropping the girls off at some planet named Tatan. A… Smugglers planet." The changeling shrugs.
At that the two looked worried at each other and raced off to inform everyone.
With the guys…
Fives rushed to his room to change out of his uniform in a hurry. Placing on an outfit he usually wears when wanting to club. And shoves a few things in a bag.
"WHERE do you think you're going?" Kit stops him with anger in his eyes.
"I'm going to find Ariel." Fives stares at him with the same fire.
"You're not a part of…" Kit starts.
"Yes I am!" Fives shouts startling Kit a bit. "Ariel is out there and about to face galaxy knows what with no backup or weapons. I AM going to find her with a team. And when I do I'm to kiss her and give her something important. Now you can hate me as her father and I'm fine with that. But I love Ariel and I won't ever stop fighting for her and that YOU are going to have to get used to. Now move." He shoves past him to the shuttles.
Shoving his way past he doesn't see the shell box drop. Kit picks it up curious as to what is inside.
"Fives what's wrong?" Echo asks worriedly at his pale looking brother as he joins the team to find the girls.
"I'm fine. Just worried for Ariel." Fives places down his bag.
'And insured I'll be sent to Kamino.' Fives thinks as he sighs a bit as he leans back in his seat.
On Banes ship….
"Gasp, where am I?" Nora looked around panting.
Bane drags Ariel to a cell next to Nora's. Bane cuffs Ariel to the wall, the cuffs glowing showing they have cut her off from her powers.
"What do you want! Let us go!" Nora yells.
Bane chuckles as he says "Feisty aren't you. Much too pretty and old to be a padawan."
Nora growls at him at that but Bane says "Don't worry. I have orders not to touch you. Your friend…." He looks with greedy eyes.
"Don't you dare!" Nora shouts as she tries to get at him getting shocked.
"Watch it those coughs are especially made for jedi and…." Bane stopped as he looked on wide eyed.
Nora was glowing now, and the binds seemed to be overloading when "Stop!" Bane calls as he shocks Ariel.
"No!" Nora shouts her power dropping.
"Don't do anything stupid and I won't have to hurt her." Bane glares.
Nora growls at him and as he walks off. Then she heard shifting and noises as she saw Ariel moving.
"Ariel…" Nora tries to get close to her friend as best she can.
"Nora? Are you okay?" Ariel looks at her tiredly and in a bit of pain.
"I should be asking you that. How did he get you?" Nora looks on worried.
"I was told you were gone and then…" Ariel explains what happened.
"Oh Ariel, these instincts just seem to get us in trouble don't they." Nora smiles sadly.
"A bit." Ariel laughs tiredly.
"You get some rest. You got shocked pretty badly." Nora frowns now.
"I'll be fine." Ariel shakes her head a bit. "How do we get out of here?" she looks at her tiredly.
"I almost overloaded my cuffs when he said… well he was looking at you in a bad way." Nora looks down.
"Why didn't you break them and hit him?" Ariel looks confused and angry.
"I almost did but that's when he shocked you, he said I if I tried anything like that again he'd hurt you. The coward." Nora growls.
"I'm sorry. If I wasn't here…" Ariel looks down sadly.
"It's not your fault. He said whoever paid him to get me said he couldn't touch me. And from what I'm seeing he can't hurt me physically either if he's using you. This has to be Dooku." Nora growls.
"We have to get out of here." Ariel tries to get up.
"We just have to be smart about it, figure out a way to get help without him figuring it out. Though they probably already started a search party. Our powers may be cut but our emotional attachments aren't. That shock, Kit must have felt that." Nora looks on with an idea.
"What are you saying?" Ariel looks curious.
"If we concentrate maybe… Just maybe they'll find us." Nora tries to think.
"Let's do it." Ariel nods to that idea.
With that the two start to concentrate on their bonds with their teachers, Ariel's being her father is much stronger.
With the guys…
While the 501st headed out with Anakin and Ahsoka, Echo and Fives went along with Windu and Fisto's team to help get the girls back.
The members of those teams were shocked as they hadn't learned about their generals getting Padawans yet, let alone one being the father to them.
The other two men chosen for the covert mission to come was Ponds, Windu's commander, and Kelp, Kit's commander.
They were all dressed like smugglers when suddenly Kit called in pain.
'Ariel…' Kit nearly falls over.
"General? Are you okay?" Kelp helps him stand.
"A-Ariel… He's h-hurting her." Kit pants a bit trying to get steady.
'Ariel…' Fives feels his heart break and stomach turn at this.
Echo looked on panicked but squeezed his brother's shoulder to comfort him.
Windu hit the dashboard growling "Dooku wouldn't risk hurting Nora or having her escape so he's using Ariel as a way to keep her from trying to do anything without damaging her."
"But if he hurts Ariel, Nora will just get madder." Echo looks on confused "Wouldn't that make her unleash her powers?"
"Not if it meant protecting her friend. The girls' bond is strong so they can control it when needed. As for making her angry. That's his plan. He thinks if he makes her angry enough then…" Windu's eyes widen in shock.
"Then what?" Fives looks worried with shaking eyes.
"He's going to kill Ariel." Windu finally says with a far-off look.
'W-what?' Fives feels everything in him freeze.
"But why? She's a princess of a planet; wouldn't it be better to keep her alive for ransom? At least that's what most would do." Echo says confused.
"Because sometime the only way to have a sith be born is to make them feel pure full rage as they witness the death of a someone they care about." Windu holds his head.
'I will save her!' Fives and Kit think with a picture of Ariel in their heads.
Echo felt his heart wrench at that. 'No, it can't be possible. She'd never turn, not even, not even.'
And yet could he say the same for himself if he lost Fives? How would he change? And with Nora's abilities…
'I won't let her change, I won't!' Echo feels determined at this.
They head off to look for the girls. The masters hoping to sense them soon.
With the girls…
"I'm sorry. I'm too tired." Ariel sighs her eyes growing heavy.
"It's okay you should rest. Get your strength up." Nora smiles sadly at her.
"J-just a few…" Ariel feels her eyes close, too tired to fight her sleep.
Nora looked on with worry then determination as she looked towards the bars 'I can at least keep watch. I won't let them hurt us.' Nora glares as she tries to keep determined.
With the others…
Fisto looks at the small box he hadn't given back to Fives yet. He eyed it curiously. He still felt angry with Fives and yet these rings suggested the young man meant his words.
Sighing he lays back. Taking out a locket he kept with him at all times, yet hid, aside from these private moments. He opens it to the first photo.
The photo is of Aqua kissing his cheek and Kit looking surprised yet happy at the gesture. Smiling he swipes to the next one. This one is of him and Ariel; Ariel hugging him from behind the neck smiling, Kit placing his hands on hers with a smile himself.
'Ariel… please be okay.' Kit places it on the side so he can see her as he falls asleep.
Kit hums the song that had always given him so much joy and comfort over the years. His eyes closing as his thoughts lead to Ariel and hers to him.
-Dream:
Kit opens his eyes to find himself someplace he's never seen before. It was a nice beach hilltop with a house on it. It was a calming place with the sound of waves close by.
'But where is this?' Kit looks around confused.
While exploring he spots someone on the beach. Two figures with long flowing orange hair down by the water. One a bit taller one keeping the younger one company.
'Aqua?' Kit feels his heart jump a bit as he heads down.
'Hey FK, been a while.' Aqua winks at him.
'You too.' Kit smiles a bit sadly.
'I'll leave you two to talk while I make lunch.' Aqua pecks her daughter's head as she heads up to the house.
'You're not a dream, are you?' Ariel looks up at him with misty eyes.
'No.' Kit shakes his head slightly as he sits with her. 'Where are you? Do you know?' he looks at her a bit worried.
'No.' Ariel shakes her head. 'I'm sorry. If I hadn't rushed off…' she hics a bit.
'Hey no. No, it isn't your fault. It's not.' Kit hugs her.
Ariel shaking as she takes his comfort. Both hearing the humming of the song envelop them like a warm blanket.
'So this is your safe place. Is it on Earth?' Kit pats her head as the tone flows around them.
'This is where I grew up.' Ariel nods sniffling a bit. 'I'm sorry, seeing mom must hurt you.' She rubs her eyes a bit.
'No. She's always in my dreams as well.' Kit keeps up the soothing motion.
'Still not done?' Aqua comes over with a tray of food.
'I have to go. But please keep our daughter safe until I can get to her.' Kit stands looking at his long-gone love, sadly yet with love.
'Like you need to ask FK.' Aqua pecks his cheek.
'We'll be there soon Ariel. I promise.' Kit calls before vanishing.
'Bye dad.' Ariel looks hopeful yet sad as he goes.
With the others…
Windu was trying to meditate. 'I have to get her back, I have to.' Memories of Venters turning come to him but 'No, no she will not end up like her, they are not the same. Hold on Nora, hold on. I have to tell you something, something I should have told you long ago.' Mace finally breaks down unable to keep it in.
With the guys…
Fives couldn't sleep. He kept picturing Ariel being hurt. Or him not making it to her. It hurt too much and scared him.
'Ariel… I'll find you. I swear.' Fives holds his hand over his aching heart.
Echo still played with his necklace as he thought 'I'll keep you from turning I promise, I promise.' Echo repeated. He didn't want to lose her, especially not in that way.
"Get up." Kit instructs coming to the bunks. "I know where they are." He heads off ready for a fight.
"Sir." They nod getting up.
With the girls…
Arriving on the planet, the girls are taken to a room. It is filled with tools and devices of torcher.
Ariel is pulled over to a pair of standing ray cuffs. She's forced into them as she struggles. Then Nora is thrown into a cage in watching view.
"Let us go you coward!" Nora growls.
"Oh that can't be done my dear." Dooku comes out of the shadows with a few droids behind him and Oliver in a corner smirking with Ventress, stone faced, with him.
"Oh look you brought your drones. And the buckets too." Ariel huffs.
"Why you…" Ventress draws her sabers.
"I see you still have a lot of bite in you Ariel." Oliver looks at her coldly.
"And I see you are still a… AH!" Ariel screams as she feels a charge through her body.
Looking she sees the droids on either side of her with shock sticks in hand. Ventress and Dooku looks very pleased about that. Oliver a mixed of pleased and confused on what's happening.
"Now my foundling, will you join us?" Dooku looks over at the cage.
"Get it in your head Dooku, not even in your wildest dreams!" Nora shouts.
"I see." Dooku sighs then signals for the droids to hit Ariel again, her trying to not call out in pain.
"Ariel! Stop it, leave her alone!" Nora struggles with the cuffs.
"I'll ask again. Will you join us?" Dooku looks at her coldly.
"NEVER!" Nora hits the cage.
"Then it will not stop." Dooku sighs.
"What?" Oliver looks shocked and angry. "If you do that she could die." He snarls.
"That's the point." Dooku motions for the droids to remove him.
"DOOKU! You traitor!" Oliver shouts taken off.
"I leave her to you Ventress and do try to get intel while you're having your fun." Duuko glances at her as he heads out.
"Yes my lord." Ventress nods then looks at the girl.
With the others…
Mace was going over a plan when Kit drops in pain. Him not only feeling it but could see it in his mind. Ventress hurting her and seeing the twisted woman's enjoyment as she does.
Kelp runs up asking "Sir."
"Ariel… V-Ventress is…" Kit can't finish as he feels Ariel's pain and fear.
"We have to find them and fast." Windu says and then he feels something.
'Nora!' Mace felt her, she was angry so angry. 'No, no, hold on.' "We have to hurry, I think I know where they are." Mace growls.
Echo pales and asks "How?"
"I sense her anger…" Windu growls as he rushes off.
The others looked on worried and followed.
With the girls…
"STOP IT!" Nora shouts.
"Oh no, I have orders to keep this up till you decide to join." Ventress smirks.
"No! Don't. I… I'm okay." Ariel manages to get out huffing, small burns all over her.
Nora flinched at this. She couldn't act her way out of this, the Sith would know. And she could never betray them, but how could she save Ariel.
'No, no, no, don't kill her.' Nora felt tears at this. What could she do?
"You're breaking I see. Maybe I should end it!" Ventress uses her saber about to end Ariel.
'Fives. I love you.' Ariel calls in her mind bracing for what was to come.
"NO!" Nora shouts when…
The door to the place burst open.
"GIRLS!" The others shouted.
At this everything seemed to slow down. Ventress about to stab Ariel, the fear in Ariel's face, and Nora….
The look of anger as her full power was about to be unleashed. They all feared what was to come, but no one more then Echo.
"NO!" Echo launched in and took the stab.
At that everything seemed to go back to normal speed, but a terrible silence seemed to take over.
'Echo?' Ariel looks tired and worried.
"ECHO!" Fives shouts with fear.
Nora felt her eyes widen as her power dropped and whispered "Echo…" a few tears falling.
"Gasp…" Echo fell to the floor as Ventress growled "Stupid meat droid!" she backhanded with the force at him sending him across the room and to the wall.
At that Nora felt her powers flare again, her eyes glowing teal as well, and this time she blew the door off the cage and into Ventress.
"No…" Windu said worried.
Nora walked out at that with determined steps.
"Nora… no." Ariel calls tiredly as Fives lets her out of the straps and helps her keep steady.
Nora didn't seem to be listening, she was glaring at Ventress with so much anger, then she heard it. Echo coughing, trying to get air in. She looked over and walked up to him. Kneeling next to him.
Everyone was shocked. What were they to do? So much power was coming off of her but… she wasn't being hostile.
Ariel, with Fives help, hobbles over to Echo. Fives looking at him worried.
"Can you heal him?" Nora looks up a bit spaced out.
"I don't have enough power to heal something that bad." Ariel shakes her head looking down at him regretfully.
"I will help you." Nora puts a hand to her friend's shoulder.
Ariel suddenly feeling a new sort of energy in her as she began to glow purple.
"Can you heal him?" Nora asks again.
"I think so." Ariel nods.
Ariel bends down, healing Echo with this new power boost. It was a new feeling but felt warm.
Once she was done Echo coughed once more but this time breathing normally as he opened his eyes and said "Nora…?"
At that his necklace lit lightly, as did Nora's. At that Nora felt the glow turn off of her, as it did for Ariel.
Once gone Nora looked at them and said "I don't feel so good." As she suddenly turned very red from a sort of fever and fainted.
"What was that?" Fives looks confused and amazed.
"Not sure." Kit shakes his head. "Mace?" he looks over at his friend.
"I'm still trying to figure it out myself. I don't understand what happened." Windu looked on shocked.
Then they heard stirring, it was Ventress. She opened her eyes to find Nora out cold and looking like she was still herself. "No! I've failed…" Ventress looked down.
"It's a good thing you did." Windu came up to her.
Ventress snarled at him and said "Why? Because she's your padawan. You will only keep her back, just like you tried to keep me back."
"No, because Dooku was planning on replacing you with her." Windu glared.
"What? My master would never…" Ventress starts.
"He left you to make a Sith with that much power in this small room! If you had succeeded do you think you'd be alive right now?!" Windu yelled.
At that Ventress seemed to realize something, but didn't want to admit it. So instead she broke the pipes to cover the room in steam so she could escape.
"Why you…" Fives fumes.
"Fives." Ariel grabs his shirt then starts to fall.
Fives catches her. Getting a real look of what she had been through before they got there.
'I will kill them.' Fives thinks as he looks at her sorrowful.
"Let's get both of them out of here." Kit takes Ariel, carrying her princess style.
"Yes. Let's go." Mace picks up Nora.
With that they head off only to find their ship had been hijacked. They'd deal with that later, first they have to take the girls somewhere safe.